MichMash: Michigan’s population problem, EVs take center stage at Mackinac Policy Conference

Politicians, business leaders and community stakeholders gathered for the Mackinac Policy Conference last week to discuss Michigan’s future.

Automotive News coordinating producer, and former MichMash co-host, Jake Neher was on the island during MPC and shares what stood out to him, including his interview with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

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In this episode:

• Gov. Whitmer shares the importance of focusing on population growth for Michigan to prosper
• Building government support to grow the electric vehicles segment
• Michigan’s role in the upcoming 2024 presidential election

Neher shared this year’s conference felt like things were back to normal since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Everyone is pushing in the same direction. The biggest things people are talking about are what are often talked about here in Mackinac, and the governor is really highlighting one of those which is Michigan’s population — the feeling that we have to grow or we’re in serious trouble,” Neher told Roth.

In addition to increasing population, the conversation touched on luring investments from automakers and their suppliers.

“So much money is flowing into these kind of investments after the Inflation Reduction Act.”

Listen to the entire conversation using the media player above.

More from MichMash:

• Detroit Today: Whitmer, Benson, McMorrow discuss Michigan’s stagnant population, early voting, more
• President Biden talks electric vehicles at the Detroit Auto Show
• Whitmer and Dixon talk business at Detroit Economic Club